2018 NBA Playoffs: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers preview

Who will shoot better?

This feels like a rudimentary thing to say. It seems obvious to say that the team who shoots the best will win the game, but some teams rely on their shooting more than others. For instance, the Boston Celtics have the ninth-worst field goal percentage in the league. Some teams rely on efficiency and defense to be able to win games.

What’s so interesting about this matchup is, both teams heavily rely on their high shooting percentages to win. Both teams are top six in field goal percentage and both teams are top nine in 3-point percentage. Cleveland has the advantage in both categories, but not by much. With this logic, the best way for the Indiana Pacers to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers is with efficient shooting. This point goes hand-in-hand with their decreasing ability to defend.

The Pacers would be smart to try out smaller lineups that can shoot and move the ball around. A team who’s averaging a 109.5 defensive rating this year will eventually give its opposition a good look to score. The key to the series will be guys like Oladipo, Darren Collison and even Domantas Sabonis hitting their shots at a highly efficient rate, whether it be from behind the arc or in front of it.